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In the worst case, a surprise game in the 2024 schedule

Ohio State starts the college football season as the favorite in the Big Ten Conference and is also considered a big favorite for the College Football Playoffs.

But in this sport, the margins are small, and the Buckeyes can't afford to slip up too often or risk missing the 12-team playoffs. For fans, missing the playoffs would be the second worst thing that could happen, right after their fourth straight loss to Michigan.

If that happens, coach Ryan Day might have to enter the witness protection program because he'll be confronted with torches and pitchforks like never before. If he beats Michigan, it'll be all sunshine and roses. If he loses, the sky might actually fall in Columbus.

Worst case scenario for Ohio State football in 2024?

Defeats against Oregon and Penn State

There's no sin in losing to Oregon on the Ducks' home turf. Playing at Autzen Stadium is no picnic. There's no excuse for a road loss to Penn State either, but losing to both becomes problematic because it shows the Buckeyes aren't as strong as most thought. Plus, losing two games jeopardizes what initially seemed like an almost automatic path to the playoffs. Two losses leave no room for error, and Michigan is still on the horizon.

Let Michigan back into the minds of the Buckeyes

The ground will collapse if the Wolverines come to Columbus and beat the Buckeyes, especially if OSU has already had a loss or two. Ohio State fans will be fuming after a fourth straight loss to the Maize and Blue. Day, who is already hearing calls for his head, will feel the pressure more than ever. There's even a chance he might not make it to the bowl game.

Missed the playoffs with three defeats

The worst-case scenario is a perfect storm of disaster that hits Ohio State so hard it's hard to comprehend. After losses to Oregon, Penn State and Michigan, the Buckeyes miss the playoffs. Instead of being one of the three Big Ten teams that advance, OSU is on the outside looking in, facing Oregon, Penn State and Iowa or USC. If that happens, any bets on whether Day and the coaching staff will return in 2025 are off.

Put the Ohio State football team on alert

Nebraska, October 26: The Cornhuskers could easily be 7-0 and give the Buckeyes more than a scare just before Halloween. Day is excellent at avoiding upsets — he's 39-0 against unranked opponents — but Nebraska will likely be ranked when the teams meet. An interesting side story is Nebraska's quarterback Dylan Raiola, who initially committed to Ohio State before changing course.

Ohio State football projected record

14-1. Ohio State goes undefeated through the regular season, earns impressive wins over Oregon, Penn State and Michigan, then destroys the Ducks again in the Big Ten Championship game to secure a bye into the first round of the playoffs.

After winning the quarterfinals, the Buckeyes come to an abrupt halt after losing to Texas in the semifinals. The Longhorns begin the season ranked No. 3 on the ESPN College Football Power Index, one spot ahead of Ohio State. Fans won't be thrilled, but at least OSU did well against No. 1-ranked Michigan.

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